As the temperature goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Des Moines?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a reduced life span for your AC unit.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify simple issues before they become substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Heartland Heating & Cooling

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 515-344-3579 or contact us online right away for additional information.